Reach Out!
God's love is sure.
His saving grace
For Adam's race
Will lead the way
And long endure --
God's love is sure!
Reach Out!
God has a plan.
You need not fret
Though wars and strife
Should cloud the path
Of sinful man --
God has a plan!
Reach Out!
God's Truth prevails.
You need not fear
Though stormy seas
Strong winds may blow
Against your sails --
God's Truth prevails!
Reach Out!
God's Gift is free.
Go spread His Word
To every man
Throughout the world
On land or sea --
God's Gift is free!
Reach Out!
Christ soon shall come.
His longing Bride
Awaits the song,
The trumpet blast,
To hear "well done" --
Christ soon shall come!
--Ben Pent
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
THE POWER OF TOUCH
Our skin is the most powerful of all the sense organs. A person may be blind and deaf or completely lack the sense of smell or taste, but it is impossible to survive without the function of the skin. More than a half million sensory fibers flow from the skin through the spinal cord to the brain. This giant communication system brings the signals and messages of the external environment to the attention of our internal selves. When you touch some one, the skin surface informs you not only about heat, cold and pain, but also literally about how they feel, and how you feel about them.
The hunger for touch and recognition is universal. It is the swiftest and most direct form of communication. Infants will not grow normally without the assuring touch of others. At birth the mother's breast is the physical and emotional supply line for a child's well being. Medical science terms it "bonding." As the child grows older, this primal hunger for actual physical touch is changed to recognition hunger. A smile, nod. frown, word or other gesture eventually replaces some of the touch strokes necessary in human development. Like touch, these forms of recognition, whether negative or positive, stimulate the brain of the person receiving them and serve to verify the fact he is alive and accepted as a person.
While studying the gospel of Mark, I was struck by the number of times Jesus touched people: the blind, the lame, the leper, the deaf and dumb, the demon possessed and little children. In this series of vivid pictures Mark portrays Jesus ministering to people as a true Servant: "the son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45), thus, modeling the characteristic qualities of authentic Christianity. If our faith cost nothing perhaps it is worth nothing! "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17).
When Jesus met His disciples by the shore of Galilee after His resurrection, the true motive for service became the main topic. Three times Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?" Striping away all superficiality Jesus seemed to infer: "tell me what you love and I will tell you what you are!" The proof of love must go deeper than mere human affection. Service motivated by agape love needs no law to impel him to action. The man who loves righteousness will do right; law or no law. St. Bernard of Clairvaux put it this way: "the true measure of loving God is to love Him without measure."
Each time Jesus asked Peter "Do you love Me?" He concluded with a command:" feed my lambs; feet my sheep." The nature of love is to give. "God so loved the world that He gave." When the Spirit of God inflames love He inspires courage. That is why Peter was able to serve faithfully and die courageously.
The ultimate proof of agape is whether or not we are reaching out to others. The "great commission" is the mandate of agape. If we claim to be His, then agape love must flow from our lives as we reach out to the sick and lonely, the poor and the dying, the orphans and widows in distress, the heaven-bound and the hell-bound. We simply can't remain silent while claiming to love Him. Jesus was busy touching other lives. Involvement is not a choice. It is a command! "Do not merely listen to the word, do what it says" (James 1:22)
The power of touch is at our disposal. For Jesus' sake, let's just do it!
The hunger for touch and recognition is universal. It is the swiftest and most direct form of communication. Infants will not grow normally without the assuring touch of others. At birth the mother's breast is the physical and emotional supply line for a child's well being. Medical science terms it "bonding." As the child grows older, this primal hunger for actual physical touch is changed to recognition hunger. A smile, nod. frown, word or other gesture eventually replaces some of the touch strokes necessary in human development. Like touch, these forms of recognition, whether negative or positive, stimulate the brain of the person receiving them and serve to verify the fact he is alive and accepted as a person.
While studying the gospel of Mark, I was struck by the number of times Jesus touched people: the blind, the lame, the leper, the deaf and dumb, the demon possessed and little children. In this series of vivid pictures Mark portrays Jesus ministering to people as a true Servant: "the son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45), thus, modeling the characteristic qualities of authentic Christianity. If our faith cost nothing perhaps it is worth nothing! "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17).
When Jesus met His disciples by the shore of Galilee after His resurrection, the true motive for service became the main topic. Three times Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?" Striping away all superficiality Jesus seemed to infer: "tell me what you love and I will tell you what you are!" The proof of love must go deeper than mere human affection. Service motivated by agape love needs no law to impel him to action. The man who loves righteousness will do right; law or no law. St. Bernard of Clairvaux put it this way: "the true measure of loving God is to love Him without measure."
Each time Jesus asked Peter "Do you love Me?" He concluded with a command:" feed my lambs; feet my sheep." The nature of love is to give. "God so loved the world that He gave." When the Spirit of God inflames love He inspires courage. That is why Peter was able to serve faithfully and die courageously.
The ultimate proof of agape is whether or not we are reaching out to others. The "great commission" is the mandate of agape. If we claim to be His, then agape love must flow from our lives as we reach out to the sick and lonely, the poor and the dying, the orphans and widows in distress, the heaven-bound and the hell-bound. We simply can't remain silent while claiming to love Him. Jesus was busy touching other lives. Involvement is not a choice. It is a command! "Do not merely listen to the word, do what it says" (James 1:22)
The power of touch is at our disposal. For Jesus' sake, let's just do it!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
WRAPPED IN LOVE
You wrapped Your love around my heart
As I stood in the cold.
You filled my life with happiness
And brought me to the fold.
And so I lift my soul in praise
To glorify through endless days
That blessed name of Jesus.
You wrapped Your love around my heart
And loosed the chains of sin.
You freed me from all emptiness
Sweet peace now dwells within.
And so I lift my soul in praise
To glorify through endless days
That blessed name of Jesus.
You wrap Your love around my heart
Each moment of the day.
You go before the path I take
You know the narrow way.
And so I lift my soul in praise
To glorify through endless days
That blessed name of Jesus.
--Ben Pent
As I stood in the cold.
You filled my life with happiness
And brought me to the fold.
And so I lift my soul in praise
To glorify through endless days
That blessed name of Jesus.
You wrapped Your love around my heart
And loosed the chains of sin.
You freed me from all emptiness
Sweet peace now dwells within.
And so I lift my soul in praise
To glorify through endless days
That blessed name of Jesus.
You wrap Your love around my heart
Each moment of the day.
You go before the path I take
You know the narrow way.
And so I lift my soul in praise
To glorify through endless days
That blessed name of Jesus.
--Ben Pent
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
SPRING BLOSSOMS & SUMMER FRUIT
Scripture likens the Christian to the fragrant blooms of summer fruit trees. The basket of summer fruit takes us back to springtime where orchards appear as giant flower gardens. Trees, like large bouquets of delicate flowers, fill the countryside with their bewitching scent. These kingly robes of exquisite blooms are nature's promise that in time fruit will appear in abundance.
In writing to the Church, Paul reminds us that our lives are to spread the sweet odor of Christ, "for we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing" (2 Cor.2:15). Fruit is the end for which a tree lives. Spiritual fruit is the end for which we should live because it is only "through us the fragrance of His knowledge spreads" (2 Cor.2:14).
One of the dangers during blossom time is the intrusion of blight. The promise of delicious fruit is painted in the delicate spring flowers. But sometimes a sudden frost, a strong east wind or some insect mars the blooms and affects its fruit. Marred fruit is always second best! How sad when blight destroys a Christian's effectiveness! The early blooms of spring gave such promise of abundant fruit. The "aroma" of Christian character was so evident. But something happened! The blight of a bad habit, wrong relationships or pride wormed its way inside and marred the fruit.
The history of Israel illustrates the blight sin can have among His people. Israel was Jehovah's vine! God intended them to bear fruit for the blessing of the world. But its blossoms became blighted through disobedience. The fruit began withering on the vine. Its fragrance gone! Joel 1:12 makes it clear: the vine is dried up and the fig tree is withered...the joy of people is withered away." Hosea then tells us why, "Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself" (Hosea 10:1).
Producing fruit takes time. There's no such thing as instant fruit! Seed must be planted in prepared soil. As it germinates, the roots go down. When the stem begins pointing upward, branches and leaves appear. In time, springtime blossoms give promise of summer fruit.
Scripture pictures Jesus as the Husbandman who "waits for the precious fruit of the earth" because He "chose us to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last" (John 15:16). In the parable of the vine and the branches, Jesus reveals the secret of good fruit: "no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine." To "abide" means "to remain, to reside, to submit, to live up to as in a promise or agreement." Sap cannot flow through branches unless they are connected and a vine has no value unless it bears fruit. The key to fruit bearing is communion; spending time in His Word and prayer. As we are connected to the Vine, the "fruit of the spirit" will begin flowing through our lives giving forth "the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."
With spring in the air, this question begs an answer: "what kind of scent is your life producing?"
In writing to the Church, Paul reminds us that our lives are to spread the sweet odor of Christ, "for we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing" (2 Cor.2:15). Fruit is the end for which a tree lives. Spiritual fruit is the end for which we should live because it is only "through us the fragrance of His knowledge spreads" (2 Cor.2:14).
One of the dangers during blossom time is the intrusion of blight. The promise of delicious fruit is painted in the delicate spring flowers. But sometimes a sudden frost, a strong east wind or some insect mars the blooms and affects its fruit. Marred fruit is always second best! How sad when blight destroys a Christian's effectiveness! The early blooms of spring gave such promise of abundant fruit. The "aroma" of Christian character was so evident. But something happened! The blight of a bad habit, wrong relationships or pride wormed its way inside and marred the fruit.
The history of Israel illustrates the blight sin can have among His people. Israel was Jehovah's vine! God intended them to bear fruit for the blessing of the world. But its blossoms became blighted through disobedience. The fruit began withering on the vine. Its fragrance gone! Joel 1:12 makes it clear: the vine is dried up and the fig tree is withered...the joy of people is withered away." Hosea then tells us why, "Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself" (Hosea 10:1).
Producing fruit takes time. There's no such thing as instant fruit! Seed must be planted in prepared soil. As it germinates, the roots go down. When the stem begins pointing upward, branches and leaves appear. In time, springtime blossoms give promise of summer fruit.
Scripture pictures Jesus as the Husbandman who "waits for the precious fruit of the earth" because He "chose us to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last" (John 15:16). In the parable of the vine and the branches, Jesus reveals the secret of good fruit: "no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine." To "abide" means "to remain, to reside, to submit, to live up to as in a promise or agreement." Sap cannot flow through branches unless they are connected and a vine has no value unless it bears fruit. The key to fruit bearing is communion; spending time in His Word and prayer. As we are connected to the Vine, the "fruit of the spirit" will begin flowing through our lives giving forth "the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."
With spring in the air, this question begs an answer: "what kind of scent is your life producing?"
Monday, February 9, 2009
LORD, SEND THE RAIN
We hear of distant thunder clouds
We long for later rain.
The waiting Church is thirsty, Lord
The downpour to begin.
Remove the stain of sin away
Return sweet heavenly Dove.
Endue us with your power again
And bind us in your love.
The Master waits to open wide
The storehouse of His grace.
The Church obedient to His word
Must move into its place.
Ignite the fire! Turn up the flame!
The blazing cross lift high
Until the Church triumphant stands
With Christ the Lord on high.
CHORUS
Lord, let the showers of heaven descend
Pour out the oil of Joy again.
Breathe through our hearts your love today
And let your waiting Church obey.
--B.Pent
We long for later rain.
The waiting Church is thirsty, Lord
The downpour to begin.
Remove the stain of sin away
Return sweet heavenly Dove.
Endue us with your power again
And bind us in your love.
The Master waits to open wide
The storehouse of His grace.
The Church obedient to His word
Must move into its place.
Ignite the fire! Turn up the flame!
The blazing cross lift high
Until the Church triumphant stands
With Christ the Lord on high.
CHORUS
Lord, let the showers of heaven descend
Pour out the oil of Joy again.
Breathe through our hearts your love today
And let your waiting Church obey.
--B.Pent
Thursday, February 5, 2009
TAMING LEVIATHAN
Thomas Hobbes once stated, "words are the counters of wise men, and the money of fools." Jesus put it best, "by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matt.12:37) True Christian character is to result in Christ like conduct. James 1:26 makes this clear, "if anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." Later he warns, "out of the same mouth come praise and cursing" (James 3:10).
The real power to build up or destroy lies caged just behind our teeth! The articulation of thoughts either results in good or harm. As Pythagoras once wrote, "a wound from a tongue is worse than a wound from a sword; for the latter affects only the body, the former the spirit." Like a fire out of control or a rudderless ship, the tongue can spread destructive calumny. Untruths or half-truths are deadly poison. Dipping the tongue in the slime of gossip is like writing out a death warrant for a friend.
The etymology of the word "gossip" is insightful. Originally it came from the Anglo-Saxon word "godsibbe" meaning "godparent." The word referred to a sponsor at one's baptism. A "godsibbe" was a very close friend who knew all about you. He was your confidant. it didn't take long for the idea of "knowing about you" to change to "telling all about you," thus giving birth to the present meaning of the word ""gossip."
In The Comedy Of Error, Shakespeare writes, "be not thy tongue thine own shame's orator." The tongue is the orator of praise or cursing. It is the commentary of our real selves. Psalm 45:1 states, "my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer," and Solomon adds, "a word spoken in due season, how good it is" (Prov.15:23). In the play, Don Juan, Byron wrote, "but words are things; and a small drop of ink, falling, like dew, upon a thought produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think."
When James asks, "can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?" (James 3:12), he was linking character to conduct. In other words, the quality of character will be reflected in the quality of our conduct. Just as a good tree is judged by the kind of fruit it produces, so Christian character is measured by the words we use and the life we live.
Since the tongue is an untamed monster, control is imperative. Our tongue should reflect His control. Psalm 34:13 warns us to "keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies." Later he prays, "set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips" (Ps.141:3). So how do we cage this monster?
First, begin with confession. John reminds us that through confession the cleansing blood of Christ removes all sin (I John 1:7,9). However, freedom from guilt requires that we also make right any offense done to another person. "Confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed" (James 5:16)
The second step is submission. As Jesus abdicated all personal rights to the will of the Father, so we are to turn over the reigns of control to His will. Under His control God renews our minds by introducing thoughts that are commensurate with His holy character. In the words of Paul, "whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable, think about such things...put into practice" ((Phil.4:8,9).
The third step is to walk the talk. In the play Hamlet, Shakespeare writes, "to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man." James puts it succinctly, "be doers of the word and not hearers only," and Paul warns, "speak the truth in love" (Eph.4:15). It is easy to "speak," even to "speak the truth," but unless it is spoken in "love," it is like a "resounding gong or clanging cymbal" ((I Cor.13:11).
If we are to reflect Christ-likeness we must cage that monster behind our teeth!
The real power to build up or destroy lies caged just behind our teeth! The articulation of thoughts either results in good or harm. As Pythagoras once wrote, "a wound from a tongue is worse than a wound from a sword; for the latter affects only the body, the former the spirit." Like a fire out of control or a rudderless ship, the tongue can spread destructive calumny. Untruths or half-truths are deadly poison. Dipping the tongue in the slime of gossip is like writing out a death warrant for a friend.
The etymology of the word "gossip" is insightful. Originally it came from the Anglo-Saxon word "godsibbe" meaning "godparent." The word referred to a sponsor at one's baptism. A "godsibbe" was a very close friend who knew all about you. He was your confidant. it didn't take long for the idea of "knowing about you" to change to "telling all about you," thus giving birth to the present meaning of the word ""gossip."
In The Comedy Of Error, Shakespeare writes, "be not thy tongue thine own shame's orator." The tongue is the orator of praise or cursing. It is the commentary of our real selves. Psalm 45:1 states, "my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer," and Solomon adds, "a word spoken in due season, how good it is" (Prov.15:23). In the play, Don Juan, Byron wrote, "but words are things; and a small drop of ink, falling, like dew, upon a thought produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think."
When James asks, "can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?" (James 3:12), he was linking character to conduct. In other words, the quality of character will be reflected in the quality of our conduct. Just as a good tree is judged by the kind of fruit it produces, so Christian character is measured by the words we use and the life we live.
Since the tongue is an untamed monster, control is imperative. Our tongue should reflect His control. Psalm 34:13 warns us to "keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies." Later he prays, "set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips" (Ps.141:3). So how do we cage this monster?
First, begin with confession. John reminds us that through confession the cleansing blood of Christ removes all sin (I John 1:7,9). However, freedom from guilt requires that we also make right any offense done to another person. "Confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed" (James 5:16)
The second step is submission. As Jesus abdicated all personal rights to the will of the Father, so we are to turn over the reigns of control to His will. Under His control God renews our minds by introducing thoughts that are commensurate with His holy character. In the words of Paul, "whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable, think about such things...put into practice" ((Phil.4:8,9).
The third step is to walk the talk. In the play Hamlet, Shakespeare writes, "to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man." James puts it succinctly, "be doers of the word and not hearers only," and Paul warns, "speak the truth in love" (Eph.4:15). It is easy to "speak," even to "speak the truth," but unless it is spoken in "love," it is like a "resounding gong or clanging cymbal" ((I Cor.13:11).
If we are to reflect Christ-likeness we must cage that monster behind our teeth!
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